CYNTHIA ANN TANKERSLEY APRIL 20, 1932 - MARCH 22, 2023
Cynthia Ann Tankersley, 90, of Traverse City, Michigan quietly passed away in the early morning of March 22, 2023 at Traverse Manor of natural causes. Cynthia was born in Dallas, Texas to Irene Hunter Black and James Russell Black on April 20, 1932. She grew up in Brownfield, Texas among multiple generations of her maternal family who pioneered the area. It was a rich life spent with her grandmother, many aunts, uncles, cousins and her pony named Paint.
She was a Sub Deb and Harvest Queen, graduating from Brownfield High School in 1949 and attended Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. She returned to Brownfield and married her high school sweetheart, Jack Tankersley. In 1952 the couple moved 45 miles away to Denver City as Jack began his life long career with Shell Oil Company along with friends from childhood, Mary and George Chisholm. The family relocated to Ozona, Texas in 1965 and after long and careful deliberations took their final transfer in 1974 to Traverse City, Michigan.
It was in Traverse City that Cynthia created a career as a real estate broker with Match Maker and Properties North, but primarily with Real Estate One. Her love of houses, genuine authenticity, high ethical standards and passion for connecting buyers, especially first time buyers, to homes resulted in a long and successful career into her 80’s.
She was a faithful member of Central United Methodist Church, enjoying many classes and serving on the Community Meals and Outreach Ministry Teams.
Cynthia, coming from a long line of matriarchs, loved home and family and as the women who preceded her, had a magical combination of grace and strength. She was known as Mom, Gran Mom, Me Me and Me Mom to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was always available and present, never missing a ball game, concert, dance recital or play and there were many with six active grand children in Traverse City and Hickory Creek, Texas. She was known for wearing “cool jeans for hot times” with her camcorder on her shoulder. She was the hostess of all things holiday, birthday celebrations, family gatherings and the life of every party.
Cynthia is survived by her children, Jacquie Thomas and Suzy Alpers of Traverse City and Jim (Courtney) Tankersley from Hickory Creek, Texas; grandchildren Brian (Bridgett) Beckwith, Meagan Thomas Wells, Micha (Scott) Myers, Ben (Sarah) Beckwith all of Traverse City and Evyan Tankersley and Avery (Justin) Foster of Hickory Creek, Texas; great grandchildren Isabelle Beckwith, Jack Beckwith, Oliver Bancroft, Addison Bancroft, Eli Bancroft, Ronin Wells, Tommy Beckwith and Maddie Beckwith.
She was preceded in death by her husband, mother, father, grandparents and many aunts, uncles and cousins.
The family would like to thank and acknowledge the staff at Traverse Manor for their gentle care, support and treating Mom like family which is how she felt about her care givers. They were family.
Visitation will be at Reynolds Jonkhoff on Tuesday evening April 11 from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Services will be held at Central United Methodist Church, 222 Cass Street, Traverse City, Michigan on Wednesday, April 12 beginning with visitation at 10:30 a.m. followed by the funeral service at 11:30 and a luncheon at the church with graveside in Oakwood Cemetery immediately afterwards.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Central United Methodist Church Outreach Ministries, 222 Cass Street, Traverse City, Michigan.
